Options in south Florida?

[faina00]

Originally Posted by fort lauderdale

I am telling you, don't commute, look in Davie! No, there aren't many rednecks either, most of the people are transplants just like you. The rednecks just happen to be around here and there (unlike some surrounding towns).They exist is all I am saying. Schools aren't crowded and perform well, and you have no commute because NSU IS in Davie. Indian Ridge Middle has one of the highest PTA participation rates in the nation, and Western High is the safest school in Broward (well, according to a student survey the county runs, I will find the link later), and it borders on underenrollment. You seem to be resistant to living so close to your school for whatever reason.

I'm not sure what the purpose of that last comment was, however it was untrue and pointless.
Yes, I'm sure we will look into Davie and Weston, as well as Parkland and Coral Springs. I commute daily as it is, as my daughter's private school is 30 minutes away, and then I drive to school after that. All I'm saying is my commute is not a priority, as it will only be for 3 years. Her education and quality of schooling is far more important to me at this point.
If anyone has experience with Herron Bay I would love to hear it. We've heard they have the best schools in Broward and would love to hear from anyone living in one of the developments.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by faina00

I'm not sure what the purpose of that last comment was, however it was untrue and pointless.
Yes, I'm sure we will look into Davie and Weston, as well as Parkland and Coral Springs. I commute daily as it is, as my daughter's private school is 30 minutes away, and then I drive to school after that. All I'm saying is my commute is not a priority, as it will only be for 3 years. Her education and quality of schooling is far more important to me at this point.
If anyone has experience with Herron Bay I would love to hear it. We've heard they have the best schools in Broward and would love to hear from anyone living in one of the developments.

I stated my last comment without really thinking it out. I apologize for that. I am just suggesting that Davie probably offers the best for your education interests (Parkland and Weston have better-rated high schools, but they are more crowded) and just so happens to be the closest commute.

Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland is one of the top 1000,but overcrowded, the back of the school has a sea of portable classrooms. Not as crowded as Cypress Bay in Weston however, although it also is not as highly rated.

This is the enrollment count for DouglasParkland
American Indian or Alaskan space (4) - 0%
Asian or Pacific Islander space (173) - 6%
Black non Hispanic space (288) - 9%
White non Hispanic space (2157) - 69%
Multiracial space (52) - 2%
Hispanic space (431) - 14%
Total Enrollment Count 3105
Free/reduced lunch - 9%
Couldn't find graduation rate
Cypress Bay Weston
American Indian or Alaskan space (4) - 0%
Asian or Pacific Islander space (198) - 4%
Black non Hispanic space (275) - 5%
White non Hispanic space (2462) - 45%
Multiracial space (115) - 2%
Hispanic space (2440) - 44%
Total Enrollment Count 5494
Grad rate 88%
Free/reduced lunch - 10%
Western Davie
American Indian or Alaskan space (2) - 0%
Asian or Pacific Islander space (73) - 3%
Black non Hispanic space (107) - 4%
White non Hispanic space (1699) - 69%
Multiracial space (44) - 2%
Hispanic space (553) - 22%
Total Enrollment Count 2478
Free/reduced lunch - 12%
Grad rate 87%
Cooper City
American Indian or Alaskan space (9) - 0%
Asian or Pacific Islander space (108) - 5%
Black non Hispanic space (117) - 5%
White non Hispanic space (1659) - 71%
Multiracial space (51) - 2%
Hispanic space (405) - 17%
Total Enrollment Count 2349
Free/reduced lunch- 9%
Grad rate 87%

Found info from Broward County Public Schools and GreatSchools.net

According to the school improvement plans, I found out that Cypress Bay has a set goal to graduate 92.9 % of its 2009 class, and Western has a goal to graduate 94% of its 2009 class. I couldn't find information for Stoneman Douglas or Cooper City, but I am positive the latter (Cooper City) will outperform both all of those schools. I will pull up any more information if requested.

Hope this information helps in your comparison, and I will link/post any other information upon request. I apologize for that last comment once again, I wasn't quite thinking before I posted and was in a rush to get off of the computer.

[Sunandsand]

I would strongly advise renting in the area you finally select. We are also looking in Heron Bay in Parkland, Mission Bay in west Boca, and Deer Creek in Deerfield Beach.

The inventory is huge and growing. You can rent for $2500 a house listing for $500000-$600,000. That is a ridiculous multiple. And negotiate the lease hard, get your deposit as small as possible and in escrow.

Prices will gradually come down, down, down for years in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

Rent and let someone else take the financial hit.

[faina00]

Thanks FT Lauderdale for the stats...its good to look at them side by side like that
Ultimately, I think we are going to drive around for hours and really get a feel, numbers say alot but its good to drive around and look as well. After all these are our requisites, but it would be good to have somewhere with authentic (not chain) restaurants in the neighborhood, good shopping not too far(thats all a teen wants to do), good gyms (or a development with an exceptional fitness center) etc, all this needs to be seen with your own eyes.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by faina00

Thanks FT Lauderdale for the stats...its good to look at them side by side like that
Ultimately, I think we are going to drive around for hours and really get a feel, numbers say alot but its good to drive around and look as well. After all these are our requisites, but it would be good to have somewhere with authentic (not chain) restaurants in the neighborhood, good shopping not too far(thats all a teen wants to do), good gyms (or a development with an exceptional fitness center) etc, all this needs to be seen with your own eyes.

West-central Broward (that would include Davie and Weston) is sorely lacking in upscale shopping, but the Broward Mall in Plantation and Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise (worlds largest outlet mall) are at least decent. Dining is next-to-none in Davie (more residential), although Weston contains a couple of decent restaurants, especially various Latin American cuisines. Plantation and Sunrise have more diverse culinary offerings and shopping, and are adjacent to the communities. Plantation is actually a really nice area, it's a shame that the schools are terrible.

In Coral Springs/Parkland, The Walk in Coral Springs (known as Restaurant Row) has many high-quality restaurants spanning a few different types of cuisine. Coral Springs also has its own mall, Coral Square, although the Town Center at Boca Raton is nearby and has more variety and more upscale shopping.

Basically Coral Springs/Parkland is more upscale and Weston/Davie is more of a family and residential area with a larger middle class representation and pockets of working class in Davie's (clean) mobile home parks.

Gyms are ALL OVER the place in So Fla, and I can PM (oh wait, its direct message now) you about a few in Weston/Davie/Sunrise/Plantation.

Like you said, driving around and seeing for yourself will give you a better idea of each area, but this is just my 2 cents on what to expect.

[SKB]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Old homes and rednecks? If such an area still exists in south Florida I want to live there!

Go to the acreage, you will find plenty of rednecks there Rick.

[nutopian]

Or Rick.. you can try Okeechobee.